Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine

In new role as city mayor, Eberle returns to his political science roots

As mayor of a growing suburban city, Todd Eberle ’68 (shown at right) often finds himself dealing with a range of challenges, from solving residents’ daily problems to helping develop a vision for the city’s future. That’s when he likes to remind himself of a quote by Congressman Barney Frank: “Government is simply the name we give to things we choose to do together.”

“His observation keeps me focused when local government problems become complicated,” Todd says.

Todd was awarded the 2009 Beach Craigmyle Annual Public Service Award, honoring service to his community, Prospect, Ky. Todd was elected mayor of Prospect, located north of Louisville, on Nov. 7, 2006, receiving 84 percent of the vote in the contested mayoral election. He previously served on the City Council.

“Mayor Eberle has demonstrated the ability and the patience to painstakingly build the foundations necessary to realize our visions,” City Administrator Ann Simms said. “He works as energetically on the ideas others have presented as on his own visions for the city.” Among his initiatives were acquiring a grant to achieve a comprehensive alternative transportation plan and purchase of the Putney Pond and Woodlands property which the city bought with help from a grant from the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund.

Todd was first elected to the City Council in November of 2004 and while a council member served as co-chair of the Budget Committee. Prior to his election to the council, he was involved with various activities with the city including service on the Prospect Ordinance Review Board and the Mayor's Advisory Committee.

“I’ve had the good fortune to work in various public, private and academic settings during my career,” says Todd. As a licensed attorney, he has practiced law in Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky. He served for 14 years as Associate Dean and Director of Continuing Legal Education at the University of Kentucky College of Law. Prior to assuming the office of mayor, he was employed as Counsel to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services working as a trial lawyer in Louisville and Jefferson County.

At Illinois Wesleyan, Todd was a political science major and a member of Blue Key, Circle K and Theta Chi.

“I was a student of government at IWU in the ’60s,” Todd notes. “Forty years later I continue as a student of government, enjoying the challenge of managing and planning what I hope to be forward-looking visions for my city. It’s a passion I take pleasure in.”